Today Daily Devotional

Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality. . . .

— Ephesians 5:3

Years ago I attended a conference where a well-known Christian speaker asserted that the largest problem faced by Western Christianity was the use of pornography. The statistics on pornography use within the Christian community are shocking. The harm done to individuals, families, congregations, and the wider church community is incalculable. It drives a wedge between married couples, it gives unrealistic expectations to youth, and, riddled by guilt, many users hide from God rather than approaching him for forgiveness.

Throughout the Bible God teaches the importance of faithfulness and warns that sexual immorality is harmful and destructive. It ruins relationships and destroys trust. It treats people like objects when they should be valued as image­bearers of God. God uses the imagery of marriage to display the rich relationship of faithfulness that he wants with his people. God describes himself as a husband to Israel and compares idolatry to spiritual adultery.

Rather than hiding and ignoring pornography and other forms of sexual immorality among us, followers of Christ will do well to name these destructive influences, bring them into the light, and encourage healing to take place. May we seek to live in faithfulness, for Jesus’ sake.

Holy God, we acknowledge our sin, especially in areas of sexual immorality. We ask for forgiveness and deliverance. Guide us to be faithful. In Jesus, Amen.

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices. . . .

— Colossians 3:9

Each of the students took their turn. They raised their right hand and solemnly swore to carry out their duties with honesty and integrity. Another student association executive team was in place and set to serve the student body for another year.

But the question may be asked, “Was this swearing-in ceremony wrong?” Was it, and is every other oath of office, a violation of Jesus’ teaching? No. The point Jesus makes is that we are to be people who keep our word. One of the most important examples of being a Christian witness is the matter of keeping promises.

As a chaplain, I speak to ­dozens of students, faculty, and staff each day. Often I am asked or invited to do things. The easy part is to say “Yes.” Remembering what I promised and then following up on it is the hard part! Unfortunately, I still have cringeworthy moments when someone begins a sentence with “Remember when you said you would . . .”

Regardless of our occupation and regardless of whom we are speaking to, being true to our word is a mark of faithfulness. Thankfully, our God is always faithful to his promises, and with the help of the Holy Spirit we too may grow in being faithful to the promises and commitments we make.

Holy God, help us truly to be people of our word. Help us to do what we promise so that our “yes” is “yes” and our “no” is “no.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

. . . if we are faithless, [Christ] remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

— 2 Timothy 2:13

When our children were young, we visited an aquarium that had a glass tunnel through the middle. As we walked along, we saw sharks and ­other fish swimming all around us. I have often wondered if the Israelites’ experience of walking through the Red Sea was similar. Did they see fish swimming in the walls of water alongside their path? We can’t be sure. Besides, it was nighttime. Even so, the light of God was there to show the way (Exodus 14).

Sadly, the Israelites soon forgot their miraculous deliverance. After a few days in the desert without finding water, they started grumbling and complaining about their situation (Exodus 15:22-16:3). God provided them with plenty of water and food, and yet soon they were grumbling again. Throughout the Old Testament we see repeated patterns of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. And yet God remained faithful.

When Jesus came, the Jews and other Israelite descendants were still God’s people—not because of their faithfulness but because of God’s—and so it remains today.

The words of the Holy Spirit are true. Though we are unfaithful, our Lord is always faithful. May we marvel today that even when we are unfaithful, God forgives us and remains faithful, keeping all of his promises to us.

“Great is your faithfulness, O God.” Holy Spirit, continue your good work in us and help us to be faithful to you in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

— Galatians 6:9

Ephesians 2:1-9, especially verses 8-9, are among the best-known verses in the Bible, but verse 10 is often neglected. This verse teaches that we are saved by grace through faith not simply to spend eternity with God but so that we may do good works that God has planned for us to do.

And yet the reality is that, at times, we tire of doing good.

There are several reasons for this. Sometimes we feel that our good works aren’t making a difference. At other times we become too busy looking after our own interests, and we ­neglect to look to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).

But the good news is that if we remain open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, he will continue to produce good fruit in our lives. The Spirit will lead us to new areas of service and will open new opportunities for us to bless others.

To me, one of the joys of serving as a chaplain is to watch busy students as they take time to do good to others even as they prepare for a lifetime of serving in God’s kingdom.

Lord, we need you to help us do good. We can’t do this on our own. By your Spirit, guide us to bear fruit that honors you in all we think, say, and do. And lead us to serve you faithfully as you open doors and opportunities for us to share your blessings with others. In Jesus, Amen.

“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

— Matthew 7:12

In our reading today from Micah 6 and in the quotation from Jesus in Matthew 7, we find helpful guidelines that summarize the teachings of God’s law. These help us to focus on the main things God calls us to live by.

Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7 is often called the “golden rule.” It reminds us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Here, as in many of his teachings, Jesus presents a principle of what should be rather than what is. In our world, doing to others as they have done to us (in terms of favors or payback) is far more common than treating others as we would like them to treat us.

The prophet Micah spoke to God’s people in a time when the wealthy and powerful were just going through the motions of religious duty while their hearts were far from the Lord. God’s desire was that they would love to extend mercy to people who were poor and weak, and to act justly toward their neighbors always. Instead, the wealthy and powerful were crushing the poor and weak.

These are good reminders. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that there can be times when we, too, neglect to show justice and mercy in our day-to-day living. How can we turn that around?

Lord and God, help me to show justice and mercy in the things I do today. Help me to build up people who need encouragement and to bless those who are downcast and disadvantaged. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”

— Mark 10:17-18

Jesus’ reply to the rich man here is full of surprises. First, in response to being called “Good teacher,” Jesus says, “only God is good.” Was Jesus saying that he is not God? No, Jesus answered this way because the rich man saw him as just a man—a good man, but still just a man. As the rich man stood before Jesus, he was also confronted with the fact that he himself was just a man and not as good as he had thought. Ultimately, only God is good. (And, of course, Jesus himself is good because he too is God, but he is not drawing attention to himself here.)

In our everyday lives, we use the word good to describe all kinds of things. We say, “Good morning.” We appreciated a good breakfast. Seeing that the weather is good, we go out to meet with our good friends.

The Bible, however, mainly uses the word good to refer to what is pure and holy. The point Jesus is making is that only the perfect and holy God is truly good.

And yet, as we find forgiveness through Jesus and we are restored to a right relationship with God, we gain the ability to do good and to be good. All who are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and act for his glory will one day hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (see Matthew 25:21, 23).

Father, help us to follow Jesus. Forgive our sins, we pray, and, by the power of your Spirit in us, help us to do what is good. Amen.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

— Romans 12:6

Years ago, my mother had a large jar for storing pennies. Over the years she accumulated thousands of these little coins but didn’t do anything with them. It was a unique and fancy jar, but that never changed the fact that the pennies just lay there, never doing or accomplishing anything. The church, however, was never meant to be like that penny jar.

After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 1:4-11), he gave spiritual gifts to his people. These gifts are listed in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. Spiritual gifts are given to every believer in Christ so that each of us may do our part in building up the church, the body of Christ, and advancing God’s kingdom. The spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit are closely related in function and purpose.

As we discover which gifts we are given by the Spirit and we learn to bear the fruit of the Spirit, we may be amazed to see how God is using us to advance his kingdom and to be a blessing to others. This in turn blesses and encourages us in our Christian walk as well.

Lord God, thank you for the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit. Thank you for equipping us to carry out your will in our lives, in our homes and churches, and in the world. Amen.

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? . . .”

— Matthew 18:21

Whenever I read Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant, my blood begins to boil. I think, “How ungrateful, mean, and greedy this man is. There isn’t a kind bone in his body!” Here was a man who owed more money than he could ever repay. But after he was forgiven of his huge debt, he punished another man for owing him just a small amount. The forgiven man had received mercy, but he did not show mercy to the other man.

It is not wrong to be angry about this. In fact, this is the response Jesus is looking for. But we must not stop there. Jesus designed this story to help us think and act faithfully as children of God. How should we respond to the kindness God has shown us? God has forgiven our huge debt of sin; will we do the same for others who have sinned against us?

It is easy for us to ask for God’s forgiveness and yet carry grudges and ill will toward others. It is easy to remember and resent what others have said and done against us. But if we accept God’s forgiveness and yet fail to forgive others, we are no different from the ungrateful man in Jesus’ parable.

Jesus teaches us to forgive and to keep forgiving so that we can’t remember how many times we have forgiven. When we walk with the Spirit, we are changed. God’s kindness begins to flow from us to others.

Father, thank you for forgiving my sin. Move me to forgive others, showing them the kindness you have shown to me. In Jesus, Amen.

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

— Luke 10:36

Jesus’ parable about the good Samaritan has inspired many people throughout the centuries to act with kindness toward others—especially those who may be different from them or who are even their enemies. (In Jesus’ day the Jews and Samaritans detested each other, and Jesus taught this parable partly as a lesson about caring for people whom we think of as enemies.) Ultimately this story teaches that everyone around us is a neighbor whom God calls us to love just as he loves them—without strings attached. We are reminded to show the kindness of God to everyone and to reach out to people who are hurting.

Though we might not encounter a situation like the one Jesus describes here, we all have opportunities to be kind. We may be rushing off to class, hurrying off to work, or going about our busy day, and we can be so focused on the task at hand that we can miss seeing an opportunity to be kind and to care for someone.

But when we are in step with the Spirit, who lives within us, we find that the Spirit helps us notice such things. The Spirit sees and hears the brokenness and hurts around us. The Spirit helps us to discern . . . that person needs a kind word, or that person needs a random act of kindness.

The question I face today is simple. Will I listen, or will I be too busy doing my own things?

Spirit of God, move us to show kindness in every situation we find ourselves in. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us. . . .”

— Isaiah 63:7

Kindness can be described as a friendly, generous, considerate disposition toward others. But, sadly, this trait can be elusive in our everyday world—especially where there is a lot of competition. When we look for kindness in our world, we can find it, but we also tend to find a lot of unkindness.

Isaiah tells about the kindnesses of God and all that the Lord has done for us. Already in the garden of Eden we see the kindness of God to our first parents. God had warned Adam and Eve of the dire consequences of disobeying his command. When they disobeyed anyway, they became aware of their guilt and were afraid. But God displayed at least two great acts of kindness. First, instead of bringing about the punishment of death right away, God promised to send his Son to take on the ultimate punishment for sin. Second, God took care of Adam and Eve’s immediate needs and gave them clothes to wear. From that time forward, God’s kindness has been on display as he points to his Son, Jesus, the Savior, as the way of forgiveness, restoration, and full life forever.

Kind God, move us to see your kindness today, and guide us to find ways to reflect your kindness to others as we forgive those who wrong us and seek to lead them to your wholeness. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.